My musings, reflections on life here in Shiloh, Israel. Original, personal, spiritual and political. Peace, security and Israeli sovereignty. While not a "group blog," Shiloh Musings includes the voices of other Jews in The Land of Israel.
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Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Living Here in Shiloh, Despite Danger Warnings

I've living in Israel since September, 1970 and in Shiloh since September, 1981.

When we first moved to Israel, soon after our wedding, we lived in the Old City of Jerusalem. In those days, just three short years since Israel liberated the Old walled City, lots of Arab neighborhoods and plenty of empty land for construction, Jews felt pretty comfortable and safe traveling all over. We spent quite a few Shabbatot and Jewish Holidays in Hebron, before there was Kiryat Arba. We traveled by Arab taxis. Later on, the way to go was to take an Egged bus to Beersheva, which went via Hebron.

Israel was the victor in the 1967 Six Days war, so Arabs were afraid of us. Jews were safe.

It only got dangerous for Jews when the Arabs began to realize that the State of Israel was not acting like victors. The State of Israel was groveling for peace, as if we had been defeated. The more Israel has given to the Arabs to make peace, the more dangerous life has gotten for Jews here. As the saying goes:

"It was a lot safer for us, before there was peace."

In May, on the goyish day of Israeli Independence, May 14, the Arabs celebrate Nakba by trying to kill us. And I just got my "public service" warning from the American Consulate to warn me that I should expect to be attacked by Arabs on the anniversary of the Six days War, June 5 according to the non-Jewish calendar.

Security Message for U.S. CitizensU.S. Consulate General JerusalemJune 2, 2014The U.S. Consulate General advises U.S. citizens to be aware of the possibility of demonstrations within Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Israel associated with “Naksa Day” and the “Global March to Jerusalem” on Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6 respectively. The U.S. Consulate General takes this opportunity to remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens should avoid areas of demonstrations, if possible, and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. As always, U.S. citizens should remain aware of their surroundings and monitor our public information for updates.For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Internet website where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found, including the current Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and enroll with the Department of State or the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem through the State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/. For further information, U.S. citizens may telephone the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7575 during working hours or the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 630-4000 or. After hours (for emergencies), U.S. citizens may telephone either the Embassy in Tel Aviv at: (972) (3) 519-7551 or the Consulate General in Jerusalem at: (972) (2) 622-7250. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://israel.usembassy.gov or http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov.

I'm not going to stop my life. I wish that Arab terrorists would be suitably punished and that their attacks and riots cum "demonstrations" wouldn't be excused like they are in this "warning."

"...even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence."

Honestly, I don't think that the Arabs who gather to "demonstrate" are planning for those demonstrations to be peaceful. Israel was attacked in 1967. The threats by the Arab states to destroy Israel made that very clear. It's not important who took that first shot. Totally miraculously, not only did Israel survive, but the State of Israel, with G-d's full help, pushed back the Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian armies to give us defensible borders, which we desperately needed.

Shiloh is in the Land liberated by Israel in 1967, and I believe that true peace will only be achieved when more and more Jews live here and the rest of the Land of Israel. The more Jews here, the safer it is. Actually we are endangered by the warnings, like the one that the American Consulate recently sent out. It sounds like a reminder to the Arabs.

"Arabs, we expect violent riots and attacks on Jews. We are going to warn them to stay home."

I'm not cooperating with all these plans to hide out until next week. I have different plans. I'm going to work as usual! This is MY LAND! I'm here to stay!